Even the Rolex Submariner and the Omega Seamaster could be more famous, but Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms predates them both, was designed in the early-Fifties in reaction to the French military’s need for a robust diver’s watch.
The Fathoms went to see service in a number of’mil-spec’ guises (including a stint with the US Navy), before being temporarily’demobbed’ in the early-Eighties. But, after its purchase from Jean-Claude Biver (now President of LVMH’s watches branch ), Blancpain revived the Fifty Fathoms, and in 2013 celebrated its half-century with a refreshingly retro aesthetic that paid tribute to its ground-breaking design.
But resources must involve, and the subsequent year, plasma grey ceramic has been utilized for the first time in the Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback Ocean Commitment, a limited-edition part launched in support of a number of maritime protection agencies.
an emblematic three-hand model has obtained the ceramic therapy, emphasized with a blue ceramic bezel outfitted with’Liquidmetal’ hour mark which further highlights the technological advances which lie beneath.
Chief among these would be the movement’s three, series-coupled mainspring barrels. These ensure that a generous five-day power book and together with a glucydur balance wheel and silicon balance-spring, deliver on many key requirements of the truly modern timepiece: light yet strong substances, shock-resistance, and imperviousness to magnetic fields.
The new Blancpain watches Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe grey plasma ceramic is available now with two strap options: a three-ring NATO strap or a sail canvas variation. #8,930, blancpain.com
